Volatile PFAS in Complex Juice Matrices: A Simple Approach Using HS-SPME GC/MS/MS for Volatile Contaminant Analysis

User Benefits

- The highly sensitive and selective Shimadzu GCMS-TQ8040 NX triple quadrupole mass spectrometer enables low limits of quantitation for volatile PFAS with minimal matrix interferences. - The simplified sample preparation procedure and automated SPME method using a multifunctional autosampler (AOC-6000 Plus) reduces the operation error for PFAS analysis. - The Shimadzu HS-SPME GC/MS/MS system is capable of analyzing volatile PFAS in juice matrices with minimal sample preparation. - HS-SPME GC/MS/MS is used as a complementary technique to LC/MS in providing a total solution for food safety.

Introduction

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic organic chemicals that have been widely used in products such as nail polish and food packaging. In recent years, PFAS pollution has become a major global concern due to its link to a variety of serious health issues. Yet, many health impacts associated with PFAS remain poorly understood. As a result, the true extent of PFAS contamination may be underestimated. To better address these concerns and fully assess PFAS pollution, it is crucial to detect and measure PFAS in the environment and other impacted matrices. Juices, as one of the PFAS-contaminated matrices, have been drawing media attention. This beverage is a complex natural product matrix that consists of sugars, salts, food coloring, preservatives, vitamins, and other additives. Juice matrices vary due to diverse flavor profiles, differences in manufacturing processes, and assorted packaging that may leach various substances into the product. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has tested for PFAS in a broad range of foods, including milk as part of its Total Diet Study (TDS). However, PFAS research and standardized methods in juices remain limited. Given the widespread consumption of juices, especially by children, ensuring food safety is a top priority. Developing an effective analytical workflow for PFAS analysis in juice matrices is therefore essential. This study aims to establish an analytical method for precise and accurate quantitation of volatile PFAS in juice. Due to the variety of complex juice matrices analyzed, this method may also be applicable to other beverages, including sports drinks and vitamin water. In this study, a Head-Space Solid Phase Microextraction-Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME GC/MS/MS) analytical method was developed to analyze PFAS in juices. GC/MS addresses volatile PFAS compounds that are impractical to analyze by LC/MS. The HS-SPME technique, with its minimal sample preparation procedure and fast workflow, offers additional benefits for volatile PFAS analysis in complex matrices. While previous PFAS HS-SPME GC/MS/MS methods have been developed for relatively simple matrices such as drinking and bottled water, the more complex composition of juice matrices requires additional isotopically labeled internal standards in this study to effectively compensate for matrix effects.

August 26, 2025 GMT